Type-writing machine.



G. H. SHEPARD.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 31, 1909.

1,009,189, Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

3 HHEETS-SHEET 1.

1415 ATTEIRNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co" WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. H. SHEPARD. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 31,1909. 1,009,189, Patented NOV.21,1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fix 4 72m I 55 1; \A/ITNEESEE: 49 49 INVENTEIR= 1-115 ATTEIRNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 00.. WASHINGTON, n c.

C. H. SHEPARD. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 31,1909.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTEIR= 1-415 ATTORNEY an area CHARLES H. SHEPARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO UNION TYPEWRITER COM- PANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. SHEPARD, citizen of the United States. and resident of the borough. of Brooklyn, city of New York, in the count-y of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines.

More specifically, my invention has to do with devices for controlling a vibratory ribbon carrier or vibrator; and the object of said invention, generally stated, is to provide improved devices of the class specified.

To the above and other ends my invention consists in the features of construction, arrangement-s of parts and combinations of devices hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical front to rear sectional view of a Monarch typewriting machine embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view on a larger scale partly in section show ing the ribbon vibrator, the actuating means therefor, together with the novel controlling devices shown in Fig. 1 and also showing associate parts. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of certain parts involved in my invention. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front to rear or sectional view of parts of a No. 10 Smith Premier typewriter embodying a different form of my invent-ion.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the main frame of the machine comprises a base 1, corner posts 2 and a top plate 3. Key levers 4, provided with the usual printing keys, fulcrum on a plate 5 in rear of the base, each key lever being provided with a restoring spring 6 and pivotallysupporting at 7 a sub-lever 8 the lower end whereof is slot-ted to cooperate with a fixed abutment 9. The upper end of each sub-lever is con nected by a link 10 with a type bar 11 pivoted on a hanger 12 which is secured to a shiftable segment 13. The type bars when actuated cooperate with a platen 14 mounted on a carrier or carriage .15 cooperatingwith anti-friction balls 16, said balls also cooperat-ing with track-ways 17 supported above the top plate. A band or strap 18 connects the carriage with a spring drum 19 which constantly tends to draw sa1d carnage leftward. Movements of the carriage 1n thls direction are controlled by carriage feeding devices which include a feed rack 20 supported on arms 21 pivoted at the sides of the carriage. Said rack normally meshes with a pinion which is operatively connected with a toothed escapement wheel 23 cooperating with which are feed dogs 24 carried at the top of a dog carrier or rocker 25, said rocker being connected by a link 26 with a pivoted universal bar frame comprising a central arm 27 and a rock shaft 28 and carrying a universal bar 29 which underlies the series of key levers and is adapted to be actuated thereby so as to cause the carriage feeding devices to cooperate and permit letter space movements of the carriage.

Horizontally disposed above the top plate one at each side of the machine and forward of the platen are ribbon spools 30. A ribbon 31 is wound upon said spools and runs from one to the other. Each spool is supported at the upper end of a vertical shaft (not shown) which carries at its lower end a beveled pinion 32 meshing with a pinion 33 at the forward end of a shaft 34, said shaft extending horizontally rearward and carrying a beveled pinion which is adapted to mesh with a pinion 36 secured to a ribbon driving shaft 37. The driving shaft is connected with the spring drum 19 by devices including beveled pinions 38 and 39 in such a way that said shaft is turned by said spring drum during movement of the carriage in printing direction. The driving shaft is also adapted to be shifted endwise so as to bring one or another of the pinions 85 into operation and thereby turn the associate ribbon spool to wind the ribbon thereon.

Midway between the ribbon spools the ribbon is threaded through a vibratory carrier or vibrator 40 which is guided by a fixed guide 41 and is supported upon and operative by a lever 42 having a fixed fulcrum 43 and provided with a slot 44 which is engaged by an actuating pin 45 at the top of a link 46. Said link has a slot 47 at its lower end which is engaged by a screw 48 secured in the side of the arm 27. Normally the link is maintained with the lower end of the slot- 47 in contact with the screw by a leaf spring 49, the forward end of which is secured by a screw 50 to the arm 27, the rear end portion of said spring having a laterally extending lip 49 which underlies and contacts with the bottom edge of the link 4-6. The construction is such that the link 46 is yieldingly connected with the universal bar frame sothat these parts may be moved relatively to each other as hereinafter explained. The upper end of the link 46 is provided with a strap 51 which engages with an eccentric 52 secured to the driving shaft 37, said eccentric and said strap cooperating to vary automatically the point of engagement of the pin 1 5 with the slot 44-. The parts hcreinbefore described. with the exception of the form or" lost motion or yielding connection between the link it; and the universal bar frame. are old and well-known and need not be more specifically referred to at this place.

In ribbon vibrator mechanisms as usually constructed the continuous vibration of the ribbon carrier or vibrator during the operation of the machine has frequently proved a source of annoyance to the operator. Moreover. the ribbon vibrator itself and part of the ribbon must be moved back and forthat each printing operation, thereby increasing the load on the keys.

By my present invent-ion I provide means for retarding or checking the return movement of the vibrator from printing to normal position with the result that in the ordinary course of operation the vibrator having once been moved to cause the ribbon to cover the printing point will start to return so slowly that before the ribbon has uncovered the printing point the operation of the next succeeding printing key will cause the vibrator to be taken up and move it back to printing position. Thus, the vibrator will remain substantially in printing position until the operator pauses to inspect the work or for some other purpose, when the vibrator will return to normal position. This return movement is a retarded one and in comparison with the movement in the opposite direction is slow: but the slowness is only comparative and the return movement is sufficiently rapid to expose the printing point quickly whenever a. pause is made in the operation of the machine.

In the present instance the retarding means provided is in the form of a pneumatic apparatus dash pot or check comprising a cylinder or casing and a piston which is connected to the vibrator through the vibrator actuating means. It is to be understood, however, that while I prefer to employ pneumatic devices for retarding the vi brator, yet, nevertheless, other means which retard the return movement without positively arresting the vibrator, would fall within the scope of my invention.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, an angular bracket 53 is adjustably secured to the upper face of the rear top portion 1 of the base 1 as by screws 54 passing loosely through holes 53 in the bracket. A cylinder or casing 55 is secured by a screw 56 to the horizontal arm of the angular bracket 53. Said casing is provided with a cap or cover 57 which may be locked in place upon the casing by means comprising elbow slots 58 formed at diametrically opposite sides of the cover 57, said slot-s cooperating with studs or pins 59 projecting from the casing near its top. The cover is designed to fit tightly, but vents G0 are provided in the up per edge of the casing, said vents registering with the slots 58 so as to atford communication between the inside of the casing and the atmosphere without. Arranged within the casing 55 is a piston comprising a head 61 and a stem 62. The cylinder head fits in the bore of the casing and has an up and down movement therein. The stem 62 is suitably secured to the head 61 as by having its lower end 62 reduced and threaded so as to screw into a tapped opening in a central boss 61 on the head. The stem projects upward through a central opening in the top of the cover 57 which serves as a guide for the piston, and the upper end portion of the stem outside the casing is splayed and carries a headed screw 63.

Connection between the stem 62 and the link 41 is provided by means or devices which include a lever 64: fulcrumed at 65 and guided in a kerf 66 formed at the upper end of the vertical arm of the angular bracket 53. The rear arm of the lever 64 is formed with a slot 67 which is engaged by the stem of the screw 63. The forward arm of said lever 64 carries a headed screw 68 which engages with a slot 69 formed in a horizontally disposed arm 70 which islooped around the link 41 and adjustably clamped thereto by a screw 71.

A coiled spring 72 surrounds the lower portion of the piston stem 62 and is confined between the piston head 61 and the under face of the cover 57 said spring tending constantly to force the piston head downward in the casing or cylinder. The piston head is provided with a valve comprising an opening or seat- 73 and a flexible cover 74: of rubber or the like which is secured to the under side of the piston head by a screw 75 and normally covers the valve opening 73.. When the piston is raised the air in the upper part of the casing is compressed and the valve cover 74 is forced down opening the valve. During return movements of the piston the air below the piston head is compressed and keeps the valve closed.

The normal position of the parts is shown in Fig. 1. When a printing key is depressed the associate key lever 1 is swung clownward, actuating the connected type bar and depressing the universal bar, thus causing the carriage feeding devices to cooperate in a known manner and lowering the link 46. Said link acts in the usual way to lift the forward end of the lever 42 and raise the vibrator 40 so as to cause the printing portion of the ribbon to cover the printing point on the platen. During the downward movement of the link 46 the arm is moved downward bodily, thereby actuating the lever 64. and raising the piston, the pin and slot connections between the lever 64: and the connecting parts preventing binding. As the piston rises the spring 72 is compressed and at the same time the valve cover 71 is forced down, permitting the passage of air into the casing below the piston head. After the printing operation, the printing instrumentalities and carriage feeding devices will return to normal position in the usual way; but the cushion of air in the easing below the piston head will tend to maintain the vibrator and actuating devices to and including the link 41 in abnormal position as illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the return movement of the universal bar frame takes place without affecting the link 41 by reason of the yielding connection between these two parts. During the return movement of the universal bar frame the stem of the screw 48 thereon will pass upward in the slot 47 and the spring 49 will be flexed until the parts are in the relationship shown by full lines in Fig. 2. The fit of the piston head 61 within the casing or cylinder is such as to permit the compressed air below the head to escape upward gradually between the inner wall of the casing and the periphery of the piston head, so that if left to themselves the parts under the influence of the springs 72 and 49 would be restored to normal position, although their movements would be somewhat checked 0r retarded. If. however, the operator continues writing and depresses a second printing key immediately following the depression of the first printing key above referred to, the universal bar frame will be again depressed and will pick up the actuating link 41 and the vibrator 40 before said vibrator has much more than started downward from printing position toward its normal position. The result will be that during the rapid operation of the printing keys the vibrator by reason of the action of the pneumatic retarding devices will retain the ribbon opposite the printing point and the vibrator and the ribbon will only drop back to normal position when the operator pauses in his work. Thus annoying vibrations of the ribbon and vibrator are prevented and the load on the printing keys is lessened considerably.

Various changes may be resorted to within the scope of my invention, and in Fig. 4 one example of such change is illustrated.

This view shows parts of a No. 10 Smith Premier typewriting machine, the platen 75 whereof is arranged above the top plate 7 6 which together with side plates 77 are comprised in the main frame of said machine. Type bars 78, one of which is shown, are adapted to cooperate with the front face of the platen, said type bars being pivoted on a. support 7 9 and being each actuated by a train of devices comprising a link 80, lever 81 and link 82. The levers 81 are pivoted at 83 on a support 84 and each lever terminates in a toe 81 which is adapted to cooperate with a U-shaped frame or universal bar 85. The universal bar 85 is provided with ears 86 pivotally connected at 87 with arms 88 rising from a rock shaft 89. A central ear 90 is pivotally connected at 91 with an arm 92 rising from arock shaft 93. Arms 94: and 95 projecting from the respective rock shafts 89 and 93 are connected by a. link 96 so as to cause the supporting arms of the universal bar to move in unison when actuated by one of the toes 81 A ribbon vibrator 97 is arranged with its upper part forward of the platen, said vibrator being pivotally connected with an arm 98 extending forward from a rock shaft 99. An arm 100 extending rearward from said rock shaft is pivotally connected at 101 with a link 102, the lower end of said link being pivotally connected with a block 103 which is supported upon an arm 104 fixed to and extending rearward from the rock shaft 93. When one of the printing keys (not shown)'is actuated, the associate type bar will be caused to print and the toe 81 of the actuated lever 81 will swing rearward into contact with the universal bar 85, moving said bar 85 rearward and rocking the arm 10% downward, thus lowering the link 102 and causing the arm 98 to swing the vibrator 97 upward so as to present opposite the printing point the ribbon 105 carried by said vibrator.

The pneumatic cylinder or casing 106 provided in the present instance has an upwardly extending arm 107 which is secured bv screws 108 to one of the side plates 77. The casing is provided with a. cover 109 and contains a piston which is or may be like that shown in the first form of the invention, said piston comprising a head (not shown) and a stem llO which is pivotally connected at 111 with the universal bar 85 so that movements of said universal bar will cause a back and forth movement of the piston, the path of movement of the piston in the present instance being horizontal instead of vertical as in the first form.

From what has been said it will be understood that after the universal bar 85 has been moved rearward, causing the vibrator to raise the ribbon to the printing point, the pneumatic movement controlling devices will operate to check or retard the return movement of both the universal bar, the vibrator and their connections, so that before the ribbon has been lowered from the printing point on the platen the universal bar will be taken up by the toe 81 of the next operated lever 81. The result will be as in the first described construction that under ordinary operation of the printing keys the vibrator will maintain the )rinting portion of the ribbon at or near the printing point on the platen and will only drop when operation of the machine ceases.

I am aware that ribbon vibrating mechanisms have heretofore been provided with means for arresting and locking the vibrator at or near the printing point, said locking means being unlocked automatically or otherwise at a later stage of the operation. My invention differs from such prior constructions, however, in that instead of ac tually locking or arresting the vibrator and subsequently unlocking it, I check or retard the movement of the vibrator, causing it to start to return so slowly that before it can leave the printing field it is picked up by a subsequently actuated printing key. This retardation of the vibrator does away with the necessity of locking and unlocking and achieves the desired ends in a novel manner, and is intended to be claimed broadly.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines. the combination of a ribbon vibrator and checking devices connected therewith and effective only to cause a gradual return movement of the vibrator.

2. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines. the combination of a ribbon vibrator, actuating means therefor. and checking devices connected to said actuating means and e'ltective only to cause a gradual return movement of the vibrator.

3. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a ribbon vibrator. a key actuated universal bar. connections between said universal bar and said vibrator. and checking devices coupled with said connections for causing a gradual return movement only of the vibrator.

t. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, a key actuated universal bar. connections between said universal bar and said vibrator including a link. and checking devices coupled to said link for causing a gradual return movement only of the vibra tor.

5. In a typewriting machine. the combination of a ribbon vibrator. printing keys. connections between said printing keys and said vibrator to permit independent return of the parts to normal position, and checking devices coupled to said connections for causing a g 'adual return movement only of the vibrator.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, printing keys, connections between said printing keys and said vibrator to permit independent return of the parts to normal position, and a dash pot coupled to said connections and opera tive to check said vibrator so that its return movement will be gradual.

T. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator. a universal bar. connections between said vibrator and said universal bar, printing keys operative on said universal bar and movable independently thereof, and checking devices coupled to said universal bar for causing a gradual return movement only of the vibrator.

S. In a typewriting machine. the combination of a platen, a ribbon vibrator normally removed therefrom, means for moving .Jaid vibrator toward and from the platen, and means for checking the return movement only of said vibrator.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a ribbon vibrator normally removed therefrom, means for moving said vibrator toward and from the platen. and means for checking the movement only of said vibrator in one direction.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a ribbon vibrator normally removed therefrom, means for moving said vibrator toward and from the platen, and means connected to said moving means for checking the return movement only of said vibrator.

11. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a ribbon vibrator and a dash potconnected thereto and operative as a check to cause gradual return movements only of the vibrator.

12. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a ribbon vibrator and pneumatic checking devices connected therewith.

13. In ribbon mechanism for typewriting machines, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, actuating means therefor, and pneu matic checking devices connected to said actuating means and effective to cause a gradual return movement only of said vibrator.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, printing keys, connections between said printing keys and said vibrator, and pneumatic checking de vices coupled to said connections and effective to check said vibrator and cause a gradual return movement thereof.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator. printing keys. connections between said printing keys and said vibrator, a piston connected to said connections, and a casing containing said piston and cooperative therewith to check said vibrator and cause a gradual return movement only thereof.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, printing keys, mechanical lost motion connections between said printing keys and said vibrator, and retarding devices coupled to said connections.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, a key actuated universal bar, connections between the two parts including a member yieldingly connected to one of said parts, and retarding devices coupled to said member.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, a key actuated universal bar, actuating devices for said vibrator including a link, a pin and slot connection between said link and said universal bar, a spring operating to maintain said connection in a normal relationship, and retarding devices coupled to said link.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, akey actuated universal bar, actuating devices for said vibrat-or including a link, a pin and slot connection between said link and said universal bar, a spring operating to maintain said connection -in a normal relationship, and pneumatic retarding devices comprising a casing and a piston therein, said piston being connected to said link.

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, a key actuated universal bar, actuating devices for said vibr'ator including a link, a pin and slot connection between said link and said universal bar, a spring operating to maintain said connection in a normal relationship, pneumatic retarding devices comprising a casing and a piston therein, and connections between said link and said piston comprising a lever connected to the stem of said piston and to an arm on said link.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrato-r, a key actuated universal bar, carriage feeding devices connected to said universal bar, mechanical lost motion connections between said vibrator and said universal bar, and retarding devices coupled to said lost motion connections.

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator and checking devices operative thereon to cause a gradual return movement only of said vibrator, said retarding devices comprising a casing, a piston contained therein, and a valve adapted to afford a passage in said casing from one side of said piston to the other.

23. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator and checking devices operative thereon to cause a gradual return movement only of said vibrator, said devices comprising a casing, a piston therein, and a valve on said piston, said valve being normally closed.

24. In a typewriting machine in combination, a ribbon vibrator, means for moving said vibrator to the printing point and returning it from the printing point, and a checking device for causing the movement of the vibrator to be gradual from the printing point toward normal position.

25. In a typewriting machine in combination, a ribbon vibrator, means for moving said vibrator to the printing point and returning it from the printing point, and a checking device for controlling the movement of said vibrator from said printing point, said checking device comprising a cylinder, valve mechanism for admitting air to said cylinder, a piston operating in said cylinder, and connections from said piston to said ribbon vibrator.

26. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a ribbon vibrator, of a pneumatic retarder connected thereto adapted to be operated thereby, said retarder having means substantially inefiective to retard the movement of the vibrator to the printing point, but effective to retard the movement of the vibrator away from the printing point.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a ribbon vibrator, of a pneumatic device connected thereto and having means substantially ineffective to obstruct the movement of the vibrator to the printing point, but effective to obstruct the movement of the vibrator away from the printing point, and means for regulating the pneumatic device.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a ribbon vibrator, vibrating means for moving said vibrator to and from the printing point during printing operations, and a movement controlling device operative during rapid actuation of the printing keys to restrict the return movement of the vibrator to an extent less than the full or complete return movement, said device being constantly connected to said vibrating means but being efiective on said vibrator during its return movements only.

Signed at the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 30th day of July, A. D. 1909.

CHARLES H. SHEPARD.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. SMITH, E. M. VVELLS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

